ZMFheadphones Caldera

General Information

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SPECIFICATIONS
  • Impedance: 60 Ohms
  • Driver: 80mm with CAMS Patent Pending technology
  • Weight: 490 - 550 (weight varies depending on Chassis)
  • Sensitivity: ~95dB/mW
INCLUDES
  • Oak Wood Caldera
  • ZMF Stock Braided Cable and OFC Cable
  • ZMF Caldera hybrid perforated pads and 1 secondary set (TBD)
  • ZMF Owner's Card
  • Lifetime Driver Warranty

Latest reviews

thaslaya

1000+ Head-Fier
End Game Quality with a Price to Match
Pros: + Dynamic, fun tuning
+ Top notch resolution and imaging
+ Natural timbre
+ Comfort
+ Impeccable build quality and materials
+ Includes a very sturdy case and impressive accessories
Cons: - Yoke rods are difficult to adjust
- Upper mids/lower treble energy a bit too much at times
- Light on the bass
- I don't prefer open back due to sound leakage and lack of isolation (subjective)
- Price
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thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This pair was provided for demo through a tour arranged by ZMF. They were returned after the review period. I receive no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I also feel the need to add another disclaimer here. I am a completely portable listener and have no desktop gear to speak of. That means I only had dongle DAC/amps to power these full-sized headphones. I know that may be sacrilegious to some audiophiles. If that's a dealbreaker, then feel free to read no further. But when the opportunity knocked, I had to answer, or I would have regretted it later. So, I jumped at the chance to join this ZMF tour and get my hands (and ears) on some TOTL headphones.

Gear used:
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Samsung dongle
● Hiby FC4
● iFi GO bar Kensei

Source:
Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.
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Introduction:
ZMF Headphones is an audio company operating out of Berwyn, Illinois, right here in the United States. Zach Mehrbach is the founder, president, and designer, and his passion for headphones is on display with every set the company produces. Each headphone is handcrafted in the ZMF workshop and enjoyed worldwide thanks to their ever-growing list of international dealers. There are many models to choose from in both open and closed-back variations, and they also make desktop DACs and amplifiers as well. The Caldera is one of ZMF's newer products and features an 80mm planar driver with CAMS Patent Pending technology. Let's break them down and see what this TOTL model can do.
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Build, fit, ergonomics:
ZMF offers many customizable options when ordering from their site, from the type of wood used for the cups to the pads and cables. This particular Caldera model is the limited-edition RedHeart wood variant with a ruby magnesium chassis, gunmetal grille and yoke rods, a ruby bull bolster band (BBB) strap, and a leather headband assembly. These come shipped in an incredibly sturdy carrying case. It provides a ton of protection and can even be locked for added security. The headphones are built from some of the finest and most beautiful materials. The build quality is absolutely superb! The headband has a thin layer of padding wrapped in very supple and soft leather. The BBB strap is made of a thicker, sturdier leather, but it's still soft to the touch. The RedHeart cups are eye-catching and just oh so pretty. The stylized metal grill adds a great aesthetic. The yoke rods feel very strong, although they are a bit stiff and hard to adjust. I fear that scratches can build up over time, but that can only be determined after long-term usage. The Calderas have a decent weight but also don't feel too heavy or fatiguing during long sessions. The headband does a great job of distributing the weight evenly without any hot spots. The clamping force is just about perfect for me, not excessively tight to cause undue pressure or too loose to prevent a proper seal. There are two different pairs of pads included, perforated lambskin leather and perforated suede. Both are super soft and comfortable, but they also have unique sound qualities, which I'll touch on later. Pad rolling is a pretty straightforward process, but it does take a bit of patience and finesse to get them on just right. The insides of the cups have plenty of room; even my large ears don't touch the drivers. The stock cables that were included in the kit are a bit thick and unwieldy. They are sturdy and well-built, but I highly prefer braided cables that are more pliable and less stiff. ZMF does offer buyers a choice of cables, so others may feel differently.
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Sound impressions:
During the tour period, I had both the Caldera and Atrium Closed, so I will draw comparisons between the two throughout the review.

I would categorize the Caldera’s tuning as neutral to neutral-bright. The bass and lower mids are fairly even, but the upper mids and treble are slightly boosted. This results in a bit more energy and sizzle than I prefer. I also wouldn’t call it the most “fun” or dynamic tuning, but it is mostly balanced and a great option for extracting every bit of detail and resolution. The general consensus regarding ZMF's house sound is that it is natural, organic, and analog. While the Caldera mostly adheres to this approach, it exhibits a greater level of detail and resolution and can sometimes sound more analytical than musical. The soundstage is absolutely amazing and expansive. While I typically gravitate towards closed-back headphones for their isolation, the exceptional soundstage makes it a worthwhile trade-off. The openness of the cups does help, but it is still beyond that of any other open-back headphone I've heard before. The imaging is another strong suit of the Caldera, and it's the best I've ever heard—by a large margin. Each note and sound can be heard with pinpoint accuracy. Detail retrieval is also very strong, and subtleties can be clearly heard throughout the music. Yet, at the same time, they keep from sounding too overly clinical or cold. The timbre is very natural and organic with vocals and instruments alike. In fact, the combination of detailed retrieval and natural timbre results in the absolute best vocal presentation I've heard to date. I discovered subtleties within the music and vocals that I hadn't been able to pick up on before. I was constantly clamoring for just one more song so that I could hear my favorite tracks in a new light. The note weight does leave a bit to be desired. It is not thin per se, but I would have liked it to be a little thicker. The tour kit did not include ZMF's mantle mesh tuning kit, which can be used to make slight adjustments to the frequency response. However, it can be purchased separately if further customization is desired.

Here, I'll add some brief observations on the differences between the leather and suede pads. The lambskin leather does add a slight increase to the bass, but it also seems to emphasize the upper mids that were already a bit too harsh for me, so I opted for the suede. When using the suede, I found the bass to be slightly leaner, but that was a worthy sacrifice to tame the highs a bit. I usually prefer a bass response that is north of neutral, and although the quality is great, I would definitely welcome more quantity. I couldn't detect any noticeable differences in soundstage, comfort, or seal, so my primary reason for using the suede is to reduce the energy in the upper frequencies.
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●Lows - The Caldera has decent bass for an open-back headphone, but as an almost exclusive iem user, I find most open-back sets to be severely lacking in bass. The Caldera actually has more bass than other headphones I've heard, but in general, I would still prefer much more quantity. They are more sub-bass focused than mid-bass, and the bass can rumble deep and low when called for, but I feel that the sub-bass extension rolls off a bit early. I also find it lacks a bit of warmth and "fun" that more mid-bass would bring, although to its credit, there is no bleed into the midrange, and it is well separated. The Caldera utilizes planar drivers, which ensure the bass is fast and tactile with a quick attack and decay. These characteristics lend themselves beautifully to rock and other genres where separation and detail help the bass from sounding congested or busy. However, the attack could use more impact, and I typically prefer a slightly slower decay for a longer-lasting presence and reverberation. Overall, it's hard to find too much fault with the bass on display here. The Caldera's low end really is of fantastic quality, but in my opinion, it would benefit greatly from more quantity, which would elevate it to the next tier.

●Mids - Let's get this out of the way right off the bat. The midrange of the Caldera is the most natural-sounding I've ever heard. Every instrument has incredibly realistic timbre, and vocals are organic, effortless, and intoxicating. Everything sounds remarkably lifelike, creating the illusion of actually being present in the studio or recording booth with the artists. This one frequency range almost makes up for the issues I have with the others...almost. Though experiencing the Caldera's mids has helped me realize that I don't necessarily prefer them to be as natural as possible. I have a penchant for a warmer, more forward midrange with an intimate presentation, but it's really hard to find fault with anything on display here. Despite how good the mids are, they aren't quite perfect. My only gripe is that male vocalists are slightly recessed compared to their female counterparts. Despite any very minor criticisms, the midrange is truly exceptional and the most notable aspect of the Caldera's tuning.

●Highs - Here comes trouble treble. Yes, it's superbly open and airy with a fabulous soundstage and enough sparkle to make a Twilight vampire blush. Unfortunately, it just has a bit too much sizzle for me and can sound thin and harsh on some tracks. Cymbals, snares, hi-hats, and claps all sound accurate and true without any real sibilance, but the overall treble energy becomes fatiguing at high volumes over short periods. Now, I don't have much experience with full-sized planar headphones, but most planar iems I've heard can have a thin, harsh treble. Maybe the planar drivers utilized in the Caldera are to blame for how the treble hits my ears. Now, it's far from a dealbreaker, and I've definitely heard much worse tonality, but I do wish the highs were toned down just a bit. I believe those who appreciate top-end air, extension, and clarity with a hint of spice and sizzle will certainly find much to love here.
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In conclusion:
There's a reason the ZMF Caldera is considered by many to be an endgame headphone. It is a masterclass in technicalities, comfort, and build quality. From the materials used to the accessories, the care and craftsmanship that goes into every pair is obvious. The tuning does not fall squarely within my personal target, but I can still attest to the quality of the sound and timbre. If I had the money, I would absolutely have a pair in my collection, if only for the imaging and soundstage. Watching movies is an epic experience with the Caldera. It's the closest I've come, with portable gear, to replicating that theater sound. As I stated earlier, I had both the Caldera and the Atrium Closed during the same tour period. I was fortunate to be able to do some A/B comparisons between the two, and they are both incredible in their own ways. But if push came to shove and I had to choose between the Caldera or the Atrium Closed, I would take the latter. They are a slight step down in soundstage, naturalness, and overall technicalities, but they satisfy my tuning and isolation needs better. I have to give huge kudos to ZMF for the quality of their products. I have experienced nothing that comes close to these and probably won't until another ZMF headphone can surpass them.
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OhmsClaw
OhmsClaw
I have a mojo2 and BTR7. But also a Valhalla 2 and SA-1. Looking to get a Mojilnir 3 or Flux Labs Mentor, but they're under attack and supply chain is tough.
Alenotta
Alenotta
Yeah I'd love to hear the Flux Lab Mentor! Let's hope all the wars end soon.
R
rsbrsvp
I have been playing around with these for a few months and I agree on the "a bit to much sizzle" in the upper regions comment; but ones equipment, and pad rolling can make a difference. The thick pads tame that "sizzle", and the "mantle mesh" even more. Also- I have a DSD DAC which gives that rounder, darker, more solid, thicker sonic delivery and matchers well with the Caldera. A neutral DAC IMHO would be a bad match for the Cladera. Just my 2 cents.

Regarding the suede pads, I found them to blur the sound in my system, but with a more neutral system, I could hear the suede pads being usefull to round things out a bit.

ufospls2

Headphoneus Supremus
ZMF Caldera - Full Review
Pros: Unique Sound signature
Soundstage depth, and 3D nature
great build
ZMF support
Cons: not the lightest headphone
could be slightly more micro detailed
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Introduction​

Hi Guys,

Today we are talking about the current Flagship headphones from ZMF, the Caldera. This is ZMF’s first entirely in-house designed and built planar magnetic headphone, and although ZMF has become mostly known for their high impedance dynamic driver headphones, the company’s roots are in providing modifications of Fostex T50 planar magnetics. Sadly, I’ve never actually heard any of ZMF’s older T50 modifications, but they had a bit of a cult following and there are still many people using them out there to this very day. Thankfully I do have some experience with other ZMF headphones, which I reviewed a few years ago on this blog. Those two headphones were the Eikon, a bio-cellulose closed-back dynamic driver headphone, and the Verite, an open-back beryllium-coated dynamic driver headphone. I really enjoyed both of those headphones, so I was very curious how things had evolved in the time period since those reviews, and also very curious what Zach (owner of ZMF headphones) had come up with in terms of his first proprietary planar magnetic driver-based headphones.

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Aged Oak with Coffee Gold Hardware (from ZMF website)


In terms of looks, the Caldera is incredibly similar to other ZMF headphones. Artisan wooden earcups being the main visual feature, of many different types. The pair of Caldera that I have here for review is the current stock option, natural oak wood with black hardware. This currently retails for $3500USD, but there is another stock option at a $200USD upcharge which comes with an aged oak finish and coffee gold hardware. In the time elapsed since the last two reviews of ZMF headphones on this blog, Zach and the team at ZMF have massively increased the number of cosmetic options available. These come in the form of the usual limited edition wood runs, but also stabilized wood runs and stabilized/resin combo runs. These headphones vary massively in terms of colours and figuring of the wood, and also have various hardware colour combos, resulting in some truly spectacular-looking builds. I would never be able to fully feature all the different looks of these runs, so I will provide a link instead to ZMF’s YouTube. To be clear, this is not an affiliate link or sponsored in any way shape, or form, its just the easiest way to share some of the many looks now available from ZMF ()

The Caldera follows suit with the rest of the ZMF headphones lineup in that there are many different options in terms of pads to help tailor the sound to your personal preferences. There will always be traits that the headphones have across all pad options, but they certainly do vary widely, depending on the pads you choose. For the rest of this review, I will be speaking about the Caldera with the stock leather pads installed. I will then cover the individual pads and their specific sound traits in a separate section later in the review.

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Sonic Impressions​

The bass of the caldera in terms of level is pretty much entirely flat, which is fairly characteristic of most planar magnetic headphones these days. That means that whilst they are definitely not bass light, or rolled off in the low end, if you prefer a more robust bass response (as I do) you can play about with boosting the low end via EQ. However, there are many people who I think will enjoy the bass in its stock tuning, and the tonal balance can also be tweaked with different pads as mentioned before. In terms of low-end impact, the Caldera was very similar to the LCD-5 I also had during the time of this review. This aspect did change quite drastically with the different pad options, but with the stock pads, the Caldera is not far behind the Abyss 1266TC, and again very similar to the LCD-5, providing a real amount of heft to kick drums, bass strikes, etc. In terms of speed and deftness of the bass response, the Caldera is right in the middle of the pack when it comes to top-of-the-line planar magnetic headphones. It isn’t fast, and it isn’t slow, it plays it straight down the middle. Overall, I was very happy with the low end of the Caldera, it is a standout in some areas, can be tweaked with the different pad choices, and increased easily via EQ to your preference if need be.

The mid-range of the Caldera was a change of pace from what I was expecting, and does show how ZMF doesn’t necessarily have a specific “house sound” these days, but individual headphones which all have their own characteristics and special qualities. I think in the past I have incorrectly associated ZMF with a slightly thicker warmer presentation, but that is not the case with the Caldera. Of course, this is with the stock pads and as I mentioned things can change with the pad choices, but with the stock pads, I would describe the lower mids as pretty much neutral, and the upper mids as being quite forward, in part. There isn’t any warm, gooey thickness in the low mid-range. They aren’t scooped out, or cold, leading to a v-shaped signature, but they definitely don’t come across as being boosted in any way. In the recent Audeze LCD-5 review I did, I spoke of the 3khz peak, and how it was problematic for me. With the Caldera, it is actually around about the 2khz range that there is a peak to my ears, and that 3khz is actually pulled back. I really like this take on upper-mid tuning. That increase in the 2khz region helps with things like rim shots on snare drums, stabs of synthesizers, and crashes of cymbals. When it is combined with that 3khz peak being pulled back, for me and my personal preferences, it sort of gives you the best of both worlds. The impact, and forwardness that helps keep things exciting, with just enough of the area that can make things harsh and grating reduced. Overall, the mid-range of the Caldera is one of my favourites out of all headphones in its stock tuning. There are no areas that annoy me or peaks that are too harsh, and the low mids aren’t too pulled back and sucked out, or overly increased and warm, losing perceived detail and technical performance.

The treble of the Caldera, using the stock pads, is very, very, slightly north of neutral. For me personally, I do prefer a tiny bit more high-end presence, but I could very happily listen to the Calderas treble in its stock form with no issues whatsoever. Compared to the LCD-5 which I felt really lacked treble energy and level, the Caldera is much more in line with my personal preferences. Having the treble slightly increased over being neutral helps keep things lively and also helps with perceived detail levels and technical performance, whilst not being overly boosted also helps provide a frequency response that isn’t bright, grating, and difficult to enjoy for long periods. Of course, as mentioned previously this can be tweaked with the various pad choices, but with the stock pads, it is just very slightly increased over what I would call a neutral treble response. The speed of the treble is very similar to the speed of the low end, in that it pretty much finds itself right in the middle of the pack compared to other flagship planar magnetic headphones. It isn’t fast and zippy like the Susvara, but it is quicker and has a better transient response than the Meze Elite’s.

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Technical Performance​

The overall technical performance of the Caldera is very solid, and I do think it is the best of the ZMF headphones that I have been fortunate enough to hear. The Caldera seems to excel at the “macro” side of things more than the “micro” side of things (in terms of detail,) but isn’t a slouch at either. In terms of micro detail, the Hifiman HE1000se which was originally also priced at $3500USD, does provide more information and low-level detail, but in terms of the larger details, I would say that they are fairly close to each other. The soundstage of the Caldera is fairly mid-sized (with the stock pads), but where it excels is depth and 3D holography within that mid-sized soundstage. This depth and holographic nature is most noticeable with the stock pads, though the other pad options bring other qualities whilst lessening that aforementioned one. The Caldera isn’t the fastest or most detailed driver out of the current TOTL planar magnetic headphones (which also cost significantly more money, which cannot be understated,) but it has a quality that I don’t find in those other faster more detailed drivers. It is hard to describe but there is a “meat on the bones” and toothsome nature to the Caldera, entirely unrelated to frequency response, that I find incredibly compelling. They are just fun to listen to, and sometimes that is worth more than any detail or driver speed ever could be. With all of that being said, I have to make myself clear here, the Caldera is not a slouch of any sort when it comes to technical performance (detail, speed, etc..) it is incredibly competent, the best from ZMF that I have heard, and only slightly trailing behind headphones like the LCD-5 in these areas. I suppose I am trying to convey that the Caldera has other traits that I feel also fall under this area of the review which are harder to quantify, but very important to the overall experience and enjoyment of the headphones.

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Build Quality​

The Caldera follows suit with other ZMF headphones in terms of fit, finish, and build quality. That is to say, excellent. Since I reviewed the Verite and Eikon, the ZMF headband has been slightly improved. It is now wider and seems to distribute the weight of the headphones much better. I found it very comfortable for long listening periods. The Calderas weight will depend on the wood used but this pair I have for review in the stock option comes in at around 500 grams. Although the Caldera is not as comfortable as the Meze ELITE, which is a class leader in this area, I had no problems with the Caldera’s comfort over the review period. The 500 grams isn’t too much, and it is distributed nicely with the new headband design. The Caldera comes with the ZMF stock OFC cable, a pair of stock pads, and a pair of your personal choice of pads. The Caldera have a 60ohm impedance, and 95 dB/mw, so they are really quite easy to drive, especially compared to something like the HE6 or the new Modhouse Tungsten’s. One thing to mention is that if you have other headphones in the ZMF lineup which are high impedance dynamic driver based, and also have an amp specifically for them (say a low power OTL Tube amp) and want to acquire a pair of Caldera, it may be worth trying out other amping options with the Caldera. Sadly I do not have any tube amplification currently, but I did experiment with a few different solid-state options, and the Caldera seemed to enjoy a healthy amount of power and current. With that being said, I must note that the Caldera is fairly easy to drive overall, and will work with a large amount of amps. Some experimentation here is worthwhile, but it doesn’t need to be a power monster as it might with some other current flagship planar magnetic headphones.

Pad Options and Mantle Mesh​

Now, let’s talk about the various pad options for the Caldera. For this review, I had pairs of the following

-Caldera Stock Leather

-Caldera Thick Leather

-Caldera Thin Cowhide

-Caldera Suede

-Caldera Thin Ultra Perforated

-Mantle Mesh (not a pad, explained below)

Caldera Stock Leather: The stock pads ended up being my favourite out of all the options I tried. They provided the best impact and slam, whilst also dialing up the soundstage depth and holographic 3D nature of the Caldera. Their negatives were that they shrunk the soundstage slightly, and also the overall image size shrunk slightly. The stock pads also provided my favourite tonal balance, being mostly neutral with a good balance overall. I also preferred a slightly low-shelf increase applied via EQ with the stock pads, but that is entirely personal preference-based, so I would recommend a bit of experimentation to find what works best for you.

Caldera Thick Leather: These pads actually ended up being my least favourite out of all the options. They slightly increased the low mids area and perceived warmth of the Caldera. I felt they didn’t really add anything of note to the soundstage and imaging of the headphones, but caused a loss of that depth of soundstage and holographic 3D nature I enjoyed so much with the stock pads. With all that being said, I read an impression on a forum thread recently that someone prefers the Caldera Thick pads, so as always, personal experimentation is key here, and finding what works best for *you.*

Caldera Thin Cowhide: The Caldera Thin Cowhide pads were my second favourite pads out of the ones I had here for review. They opened up the image size and made everything sound slightly larger and grander. You lose some of the depth of soundstage that you have with the stock pads, but it is a trade-off for the larger overall image. I also found the cowhide helped bring out some of the detail in the treble, whilst not increasing the perceived amount of treble, which I found surprising due to how thin the pads are. You do lose a slight amount of perceived low end with the thin cowhide pads, but again I increased this with EQ so had no problems with that.

Caldera Suede: The Caldera suede pads off the bat are the most comfortable of the pad options, which is pretty standard for me as I always seem to enjoy the feel of suede vs leather. In terms of sonic performance, the Suede Caldera pads reduce the resonance of the Caldera sound, making everything sound slightly more dry and well separated. You lose some low-end impact and slam with these pads, but the soundstage does open up and the overall image size is larger, similar to the cowhide pads. I don’t think I would choose the suede pads as my main pair of pads for the Caldera but they would make a very compelling secondary option if you plan to only have two pairs of pads (the stock being the other pair.)

Caldera Thin Ultraperforated: The ultra-perforated pads are interesting. You definitely lose a lot of what the stock pads bring to the table, in terms of that holographic nature and soundstage depth, but they open up the airyness of the treble, whilst also increasing the image size. They don’t sound as dry as the Suede pads but do seem to very slightly increase the perceived amount of detail present. I went back and forth about these pads more than any of the others. I don’t think I would choose them as a primary or even secondary pair, but if you are curious they do offer some interesting qualities if you are looking for a good third option.

Mantle Mesh: The Caldera can also use what ZMF has called the “Mantle Mesh.” This is a $20 dollar extra which is applied directly over the driver by the user. What the Mantle mesh does essentially is create an effect of extra dampening of the driver, reducing the upper mids and treble frequencies. When I received the Caldera, I hadn’t realized that the Mantle Mesh was installed, and I found the upper mids and treble overly attenuated and thought it was a fairly dark stock tuning. Of course, once I realized the Mantle Mesh had come installed stock, I removed it and was greeted by a much more agreeable (to me and my ears) stock tuning. If you are someone who is particularly treble sensitive, this could be an absolute lifesaver of an upgrade, and would highly recommend it if you struggle with highs and upper mids of the Caldera. For the average person, I’m guessing it would simply blunt the sound too much, and make things too dull and smoothed over. The mantle mesh is a really great idea for certain people and could take the Caldera from an “ow! that’s so bright” to “this is awesome” experience.

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Conclusion​

Overall, the ZMF Caldera are a really great pair of headphones. They seem to be the culmination of the entire history of ZMF headphones thus far. From humble Fostex T50 mods to a bespoke in-house designed planar magnetic driver-based headphone, it’s really been neat to watch ZMF grow and continue to innovate. The Caldera has all the hallmarks that ZMF has become known for – Artisan Wood cups and distinct tunings, All done in-house by a team of people who themselves headphone enthusiasts. I sadly haven’t every ZMF headphone, but I have heard a few and the Caldera is certainly my favourite thus far. It is the highest performing in terms of technical performance but is also simply fun and enjoyable to listen to. I found myself going back and listening to old favourites simply because they were great to hear again with the Caldera. The Caldera can be tweaked via pads, and the Mantle Mesh, to your personal preference, and if you don’t mind waiting for a release date and spending a bit more, there are all sorts of cosmetic options for the Caldera, so finding one that suits you in terms of looks shouldn’t be too hard. Personally, I really like the stock-aged oak with coffee gold, but the sheer variety of the woods in the stabilized releases is pretty amazing. The Caldera is less expensive than a lot of the top-of-the-line flagship headphones these days at $3500USD retail, but offers technical performance coming close to many of them. On top of that technical performance, it has its own unique sound signature that is incredibly enjoyable, whilst having some of the best build and support on the market. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with the Caldera, and I definitely give it a thorough recommendation, especially if you are looking for a planar magnetic flagship headphone, but want something a little bit *different.* Awesome job Zach and the team at ZMF!
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betula

Headphoneus Supremus
ZMF Caldera: the most dynamic sounding planar headphones
Pros: - beautiful, organic sound
- exceptional bass performance
- lively and entertaining
- fine tuning options with earpads and mesh
- lifetime driver warranty to original owner
- gorgeous look
- exemplary customer service
Cons: - a little on the heavier side
- can be too forward with some earpads
Disclaimer:

I approached Zach Mehrbach, the founder and designer of ZMF to ask if it was possible for me to review the Caldera as these headphones really piqued my interest. I have been in the hobby for several years and heard almost all flagship headphones. The last 19 months I enjoyed my Meze Elite, which I prefer to several other, even more expensive headphones. After some emailing, Zach kindly lent me a Caldera for a few weeks. He said, in many ways he likes enthusiast reviews more as these are often more honest and more helpful. I hope this review will qualify as that.

Allow me to skip ZMF history, and topics that were covered hundred times in other reviews and are easy to google. I will only focus on my experience with the Caldera, in a slightly more subjective, but occasionally objective way.

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Background:

I love my Meze Elites for their easy-going nature, big soundstage, exceptional comfort and sweet, natural tonality. I enjoy the Elite more than I enjoyed the otherwise excellent Final D8000, fantastic T+A Solitaire P, the famously perfect HiFiMan Susvara or the fast and neutral Audeze LCD-5. Some of these headphones edge out the Meze Elite in certain technical aspects like speed, bass definition or resolution, yet as a whole package I enjoy music through the Elite more. To me, on the right audio chain the Elites are resolving, fast and technical enough, especially with the new angled earpads, while they offer a rare level of musical engagement. This is what the Caldera came to face and challenge.

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My audio chain and other amplifiers with the Caldera:

After owning several good delta/sigma DACs like the Chord TT2, RME ADI-2, and great solid-state amplifiers like the HeadAmp GSX Mini, BrystonBHA-1 or iFi iCan Signature, I turned to R2R DACs and tube amplifiers. I find that both the ladder DACs and vintage tubes offer a more natural and lifelike sound making it difficult for me to go back and enjoy the more digital flavour of delta/sigma design or solid-state amplification. The caveat is, that you need to reach a certain level of R2R DACs and tube amps in order to avoid a significant loss of resolution, detail retrieval and speed that entry level models suffer from.

My current audio chain: the EverSolo DMP-A6 is the cleanest sounding streamer I heard. I run Qobuz which I find superior sounding to Tidal. The EverSolo feeds my Musician Pegasus R2R DAC which has been upgraded with a SR Purple Fuse. The upgrade to me enhances clarity. Balanced silver cables lead to my Cayin HA-3A transformer coupled tube amp with NOS tubes. I found the HA-3A a bit lean with stock tubes, so with my current vintage tube set I added warmth, a more natural tone and most of all better bass extension, bass definition, control and body. (Mullard M8136 CV4003 12AU7 (old logo); Brimar 6V6GT Black Glass D getter; GE 22DE4.) My headphone cable is the Effect Audio CODE23 flagship copper cable which to me is the most detailed and clean sounding copper cable I have heard with excellent, clean and impactful low frequencies.

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Some Caldera owners say that these headphones sound the 'best' on good solid-state amplifiers. Others say the sound is fabulous straight out of a simple DAP or portable amp. I had a chance to plug the Caldera into many great and pricey amplifiers at London CanJam, and found that they indeed change with different amps, but I would not always call the change an improvement as you spend more. Synergie is more important than the price tag.
I also think, it is untrue that the Caldera needs solid state amplifiers to shine. These headphones are equally phenomenal or even better out of some transformer coupled tube amps. OTL amps however are better to be avoided due to their high output impedance.

All that said, my favourite combo with the first planar ZMF was the Holo May KTE R2RDAC and Holo Bliss amplifier. They do a fabulous job in achieving a natural sound without tubes. I actually preferred this stack to the three times more expensive dCS Lina. On the Holo combo there was great spaciousness, fantastic weight, speed and impact with a pitch-black background. The Caldera on this stack offers one of the best bass experiences you can have with any headphones on any amps including the Abyss 1266TC.

While my favourite pairing was the top Holo stack, I personally prefer my fine-tuned little tube system versus other popular and pricier d/s and solid-state combinations like the Ferrum OOR/Wandla or the HPA4/DAC3 stack for example. I am not missing out on bass in my system and the sound is just more natural.

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ZMF Caldera vs. Meze Elite:

This review will be a close comparison to my Meze Elite, so let us start with the main similarities and differences. They are similarly tuned headphones in a way that they both aim for ultimate musical enjoyment instead of chasing the last five percent of details or pre-set frequency targets. Both headphones are on the warmer side of neutral, at least when it comes to flagship level headphones. They are both musical and engaging with good bass.

That said, to me they are a lot more different than similar, unalike to a much higher degree than expected. The biggest difference is in their nature; the way they represent and portray music. The Elites are the ultimate long-term listening, kick back & relax kind of headphones, the Caldera is a lot bolder and more dynamic, offering a more colourful and more intense listening experience. As we progress with the review, I will shed more light on these differences.

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Build and comfort:

Build quality and comfort are exceptional on both of these headphones. ZMF has a more rustic style while the Elite is a modern beauty. Different schools, equally impressive results. The Elite (Empyrean) set a new standard in headphone comfort which is hard to beat and they are often labelled as the most comfortable headphones on Earth. The Caldera is comfortable too, but the Meze wins here. The biggest aspect of this better comfort is sheer weight. The Elite officially weighs 430g, my set is 435g on the kitchen scale. ZMF declares the stock Caldera weight between 490-550g depending on wood variety and headband material. My aged-oak Caldera is 525g. This 90g (~20%) weight increase is noticeable, so unlike the Elite, the Caldera will not disappear like a cloud around your head. They are comfortable enough, and this 500-550g is still within comfort limit for most people who like to listen to music for hours in one go. To me the Caldera is comfortable, but I would not want it to be any heavier.

Sound:

Technicalities, general tonality:


I think, it is safe to say that on technicalities these two headphones are quite even, yet there are some significant differences. When it comes to resolution and fine detail retrieval, they are on a very similar level, but I think the Elite has the edge there, at least with the new angled earpads. The Elites with their laid-back character sound softer, airier and lighter; more ethereal and delicate. The Caldera is lively, energetic and a lot more forward.

The Meze flagship has more air and as a result, the upper frequencies breathe better. Elite's soundstage is noticeably deeper and a lot taller. Width is great on both headphones; the Caldera might even sound a little wider. On all the ZMF earpads, except the thick leather pads, I found the presentation a little too forward, making me feel I am too close to the stage. To me this sensation becomes the strongest on the thin Caldera pads. I will go into the differences on earpads soon, for now let me just say that for my taste I find soundstage depth ideal on the thick ear-pads, but the Elite's perceived stage is still a little deeper.

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Within the illusionary space, created by our brains, the notes are exceptionally well-placed on both headphones providing a nice 3Dexperience. Imaging is great in both cases, although they do it in a slightly different manner. Elite's 3D space somehow feels a little more coherent, while the Caldera separates, pulls sounds apart a bit more. It is not that there is not great separation on the Elite, but the Caldera's separation somehow feels more obvious and clearer. This can be good or not that good, depending on the music genre and recording. (Examples for this in the 'example tracks' section.) On psychedelic ambient, trance and EDM tracks this separation is a win for the Caldera, on small acoustic music groups sometimes this can sound a tiny bit overdone.

Tonality is similar on both headphones, slightly warmish neutral. The Caldera is more coloured and intense, the Elite in comparison can sound more neutral and almost slightly drier in a way. The Caldera's most neutral tuning is with the stock pads, all other pads add some extra colour. This colouration is tastefully done, never intrusive and very enjoyable. Just mind, these are not neutral studio headphones (nor are the Elites).

Another big difference between these two contenders is the body, weight and impact of sound. The Elite is smooth, airy, polite, delicate, easy. Caldera is punchy, energetic, the notes have more weight and they hit your eardrums with more impact. This I find very entertaining, satisfying and enjoyable. I think, this is one of the main characteristics that helped to find a fitting name to the headphones: a caldera on a volcano is colourful, alive, energetic, powerful, warm.

Dreamstime.jpg

Photo of a caldera. Source: Dreamstime

With the right earpad choice this vibrant nature can be tamed a little bit (thick pads for me or suede pads for others), making the Caldera suitable for long-term listening even for those with more sensitive ears. With the stock pads or the thin pads, I always needed a rest after a couple of hours, but with the thick pads I am fine all day. This liveliness is a big positive for a lot of listeners, but the Elite's softer and more gentle presentation will be valued by many as well. With the Elite you can just relax, and for late night listening it might be the better, more ear-friendly choice. The Caldera grabs your attention and entertains.

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Speed is a win for the Caldera, pace, rhythm and timing is just sharper (in a good way) and more precise on the ZMF. When these precise notes have weight and impact, that can lead to a whole lot of fun, as the Caldera's tone is warm and organic; unlike some more neutral/brighter speed and detail monster flagships where this sharpness combined with brighter upper frequencies can quickly become bothering. The Caldera is dynamic without trying to stab your eardrums.

This dynamic and lively nature makes the Caldera the most dynamic sounding planar headphones in my experience. I love planar headphones, but many of them can sound a bit weightless, less focused lacking true body and impact. Up to now, for me the Final D8000 was the most dynamic sounding planar with its circular AFDS drivers. The bass on those is excellent and have some dynamic driver characteristics. The Caldera for me exceeds that experience as the whole sound is just a lot closer to dynamic drivers while offers all the positives only planar transducers are capable of reproducing at this level: bass extension, bass presence, clarity and speed.

Earpads:

ZMF at present, offers five different earpad choices for the Caldera. These are advertised as 'fine-tuning' options, but to me they actually change the sound quite significantly. Of course, you are still listening to the same headphones, but many of the characteristics can be altered. It is absolutely worth experimenting, as if you did not like the Caldera with one pair of pads, you might like them with others. There is not one best option, you have to find what suits your taste and ears the best, these are my impressions.

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Stock:

these are the safest, best balanced and also the most neutral option. They show off the Caldera's strengths perfectly: punchy, dynamic, speedy and clear. Soundstage feels adequate in size, although it is a lot more forward compared to the Elite. After a couple of hours, depending on the music, I find that the upper-mids/treble can become just a little too intense on them.

Thick:

these bring a bit of extra warmth with ever so slightly elevated mid-bass. Mids and vocals benefit from this, resulting in a slightly richer texture. Treble is politely smoothed out to a very comfortable level. Soundstage feels the biggest: widest, deepest. There might be a slight loss of a few percentages of clarity and punch compared to the stock pads, but those qualities are there in abundance, so it does not feel like a compromise at all.

Suede:

these smoothen and soften the whole sound. Soundstage size is comparable to the stock pads. To my ears with these earpads we lose too much dynamics, speed and punch; the note edges become too rounded and soft. Bass punches lose some energy like putting a blanket on drums.

Thin (cow hide):

to me there is a significant soundstage loss with the thin pads, especially on depth. These are the most forward sounding pads, almost like I was standing on the edge of the stage. Bass punch is great, but somehow the upper frequencies feel more uneven and the whole sound a bit flatter.

Thin (lamb):

these are very similar to the cowhide thin pads, but they do everything in a more polite way, they are not as drastic.

I quite like the stock pads, but eventually settled down with the thick pads. All other pads to my ears take away too much from the Caldera's stock character and/or capabilities.

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Mantle mesh:

The mantle mesh is a simple and affordable extra dampening layer that the user can easily apply under the earpads. They meant to dampen treble frequencies for those who find them too pronounced. Zach said, 95% of people are fine without them, but one in twenty might find the mesh useful. Our anatomically different ear-canal shape means we do not hear high frequencies the same way, there can be a 20 dB (!) variation.

I found that the mantle mesh with the stock pads does exactly what it says on the tin. The highs are dampened, toned down, but lower frequencies are unaffected. This might be the ticket for those who want to love the Caldera but just found the upper frequencies slightly too pronounced. For me, the mantle mesh with the stock pads did bring some benefits but took away too much treble detail and liveliness. I still found it an enjoyable sound, just not my choice.

On the other earpads (thick) to my ears the mantle mesh just took away too much from the experience, this combination is not something I would want to listen to.

My ultimate choice after trying all the combinations was the thick pads without the mantle mesh. My number one reason for this is the enhanced soundstage, especially depth. I like a bit of distance between me and the musicians, to remain in the audience and not to climb up on the stage. I also enjoy the slight bass emphasis on the thick pads, while it is hardly taking away anything from the excellent and clean bass impact of the stock pads. Upper mids and treble are a little bit smoothed out, but they still have some sparkle and more details compared to the stock pad/mantle mesh combination.

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Bass

Bass is wonderful on both the Elite and the Caldera, but I will not tease you here too long, it is a win for the Caldera. My biggest criticism towards the Elite was always that slightly softer and more politely presented bass which is inherent from the Elite's natural and more laid-back tuning. Do not get me wrong, there is bass quantity and punchy impact on the Meze flagship, just in a more sophisticated and less 'muscular' manner: a little bit like how a Bentley accelerates versus a Lamborghini.

Caldera's bass has more weight and speed. I always enjoyed bass weight and impact more on the LCD4 or Final D8000 compared to the Elite, but those do not have the spacious, airy and natural upper-mid/treble of the Elite. The problem is, you cannot have everything, so eventually I chose the Elite as I very much enjoy this airy, natural and lifelike sound with still a very good bass and exceptional engagement factor. This airy and natural sound usually comes with a soft, diffuse, less focused and/or less impactful bass presentation, like on some oval HiFiMan headphones. The best balance for me between a weighty, impactful bass and natural, airy upper frequencies has been the Elite so far.

Caldera's bass is punchier than the Elite's, it is more physical, more visceral, yet not overblown. Bass is flatter but very speedy and impactful on the stock pads. The thick pads add a little more mid-bass to the picture. In both cases overall bass performance edges out the Elite for me, and even surpasses the fantastic D8000. Being a 'dynamic flavoured' planar, the Caldera does this with natural, open and relatively airy upper frequencies. Not as naturally airy and not as open as the Elite, but enough for me to equally love the overall balance and presentation on both headphones.

Psychedelic ambient or trance is an otherworldly experience on the Caldera: 3D sound with visceral bass impact as if you had the cleanest subwoofers attached to your head.

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Mids:

Mids sound organic, they have an excellent warm and lifelike tone; but they are not as shockingly outstanding as the bass performance. Compared to the bass and treble, mids are ever so slightly recessed. This becomes apparent, when on certain tracks the background instruments have as much or even more emphasis as the solo singer in the centre. It is never to a bothering level, but present when comparing the same track on the Elite. (See 'example tracks' section.) On the Elite the focus stays on the singer and the supporting instruments remain more in the background. Everything is audible on the Elite too, just the emphasis and focus feel slightly more accurate for certain genres on the Meze. That said, not always the most accurate presentation is the most entertaining.

Both the Elite and the Caldera have beautiful mids with a good sense of realism and lifelike tonality. To my ears vocal and fine intrument texture, micro-resolution are somehow a bit better on the Elite, but speed and clarity are superior on the Caldera. Caldera sounds more forward and is more intimate due to the slightly less air and smaller stage in comparison. I can enjoy both mid presentations, ultimately to my ears they are equally good, a little bit like roasted or fried potatoes.

Treble:

While treble is smooth and natural on the Caldera with some sparkle, to me the Elite is winning here. The airy and open nature of the Meze flagship helps the upper frequencies to come across even more naturally; perhaps a little brighter but more ear-friendly and less intense. While the treble on the Caldera is still neutral/warm, there is a little more 'bite' to it due to the more energetic nature of the ZMF planar. The treble presentation can be a win either side, depending on the listener's taste. I am relatively treble sensitive, but never really had a problem with the treble on the Caldera, at least not with brightness or sharpness. It is a natural and rounded sounding treble.

On the stock pads, the upper-mid and lower-treble area can become a little overwhelming after a couple of hours, but not because it is sharp or bright, simply due to the sheer energy and intensity this headphone has in general. This for me was completely solved with the thick pads. Others might find the mantle mesh or the suede pads helpful. For the vast majority of people, the stock treble will be absolutely fine.

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A few example tracks:

Gaudium– How can I tell: the bass on this track with the Caldera is something to experience, especially what comes after the fourth minute. (If you liked it, try this one too: Gaudium– Nn.) This is where the Elite or pretty much any other headphones (maybe with the exception of the 1266TC and D8000) cannot really hold a candle.

Offspring– Smash: I used this track for treble testing as it gets very intense. This is what I find too much with the stock pads, but fine on the thick pads (or with the mesh under the stock pads).

Aurora– Conqueror: another example for treble intensity.

Hans Zimmer – Mountains: an example track for grand spaciousness. This I find more enjoyable on the Elite, Caldera's space feels a little more limited in direct comparison.

Sowulo– Wyrd Webba: while both headphones are very good here, the Elite to me somehow gives back a slightly more resolving, a little more natural texture to instruments and voices, perhaps partly due to the bigger space/reverbs. The Caldera's intensity and energy is closer to the track's true nature though.

Telepopmusik– Genetic World: percussion is airier and more natural on the Elite, but bass is more focused on the Caldera.

GiulianoCarmignola II.Allemande Bach Violincello Suit: with this track I find that staging and instrument timbre is a little better on the Elite. It is true nitpicking between two great choices, but the slightly richer reverbs make the sound of the violincello a bit more believable to me on the Meze, while it is still very good on the Caldera. Imaging also becomes a little bit strange on this particular recording. While I see a coherent image on the Elite, Caldera pulls things apart a bit, namely the violincello itself and the breathing of the musician. On the Elite the musician breathes in the centre of the stage as he should, but on the Caldera the breathing somehow comes more from the two sides, while the violincello is in the centre: just a little odd.

Norah Jones Come away with me album (192kHz/24bit): both headphones are beautiful, but what I found is that the vocal on the Elite is more in the spotlight while the instruments are supporting the singer. On the Caldera somehow the instruments become equal participants to the singer.

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Conclusion:

What is my conclusion then? In a nutshell, these are my two favourite headphones on today's market. The negatives I mentioned about either of these headphones were nitpicking between two champions in direct comparison.

Zach Mehrbach and Antonio Meze are both brave enough to diverge from mainstream trends, remain unique and follow their own paths. These two headphones have a bit of a character, but for me that is what makes them loveable, enjoyable and engaging. To my ears they both do everything well, and they do different things exceptionally well. Bass, energy, liveliness, organic sound, speed, impact are the Caldera's strengths. Easy listening, coherence, fine texture, natural and airy sound are the strengths of the Elite. I could live with either of them as my only headphones and would pick them over pretty much any other flagships in August 2023.
If it was possible, I would try to combine the Caldera's sublime bass performance with the Elite's natural openness and also find a middle ground between the ZMF energy and the Meze delicacy. For now, I am enjoying both and delaying the tough decision: which one to own long term.

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In the Caldera, Zach has managed to combine the magic of his popular dynamic driver headphones with the advantages of planar technology, namely a deeper bass extension, higher overall clarity and superior speed. The Caldera is a true masterpiece with character and personality that many will find endlessly enjoyable. Thank you, Zach, and I hope you will gift us many more wonders in the forthcoming decades!
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betula
betula
@227qed Thanks for the kind words!
The only Kennerton I heard was the Rögnir planar at an audition, so my experience is limited here. My impression was that it is a decent headphone without obvious faults. The tuning was quite nice and hard to pinpoint anything that is wrong with it. At the same time, it did not blow me away at that price point, considering the competition. Being a closed back, mids and vocals felt a little more closed-in and boxy versus the Caldera closed. To me the biggest difference between the Rögnir planar and the Caldera closed is the more natural mids and more natural spaciousness on the Cladera closed. The ZMF is perhaps a bit warmer and smoother, the Rögnir perhaps a little more neutral. Also, the option to fine tune the sound to your preference with earpads and meshes on the ZMF is a big plus. I reviewed the Caldera closed as well, if you are interested.
227qed
227qed
Thanks for the info, I appreciate your time! I’ll definitely check out your CC review. I’m sure there’s really no “bad” choices, but the lifetime driver warranty and stabilized cups are definitely making ZMF seem like a much easier choice now!
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227qed
227qed
So I definitely read this. 😂 getting a little out of order, I didn’t connect the dots but started researching the elite more after burning through all the caldera content.

Very helpful info. I think now all I need to do is patiently wait for another stabilized drop!
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Comments

TonyTripleA

500+ Head-Fier
Excellent write-up, thanks much for taking the time and making the effort. Cheers!
Such a great write up, I’m working my way through your music test tracks…. These are superb listening, it’s going to take a while as I keep playing each track/album several times. Thank you. I’m going to test drive some ZMF on the basis of the comments you make, nice to know the Auris nirvana pairs with them well.

cheers,

Tony
 

goldwerger

Founder of the WATERCOOLER HEADPHONE EDITION thread
Watercooler Travel Team
Such a great write up, I’m working my way through your music test tracks…. These are superb listening, it’s going to take a while as I keep playing each track/album several times. Thank you. I’m going to test drive some ZMF on the basis of the comments you make, nice to know the Auris nirvana pairs with them well.

cheers,

Tony
Thanks Tony!
Glad you enjoy the music!! 😊
 

bneiderman

100+ Head-Fier
Unbelievable review. Truly well written and informative. I love my Atriums and would love the Caldera it seems as well. But I just bought Empire Ears Odyssey. I am a bass head at heart but love the relaxing presentation of the Atrium.
 

goldwerger

Founder of the WATERCOOLER HEADPHONE EDITION thread
Watercooler Travel Team
Unbelievable review. Truly well written and informative. I love my Atriums and would love the Caldera it seems as well. But I just bought Empire Ears Odyssey. I am a bass head at heart but love the relaxing presentation of the Atrium.

Thank you 🙏
The Caldera may be right in your wheelhouse. But it will be here for a long time I suspect, so perhaps next year?…;)
 

ppbb

Head-Fier
I have Susvara and Elite. Will the Caldera be different enough from these? I had a Utopia but the treble energy was too strong and I found them fatiguing after an hour.
 

goldwerger

Founder of the WATERCOOLER HEADPHONE EDITION thread
Watercooler Travel Team
I have Susvara and Elite. Will the Caldera be different enough from these? I had a Utopia but the treble energy was too strong and I found them fatiguing after an hour.

Oh yes, very different. I have the Susvara (which I love), and they are really very different. Both are wonderful! I used to have the elite but I sold it after a very short time since it wasn't my cup of tea, so my input here is both biased a little, as well as based entirely on memory, but the Elite has a refine, polite, easy listen feel to it; the Caldera grabs your attension, has a more physical sub-bass, and is overall better resolving. They are not similar stylistically. So, if budget allows, I'd definitely add the Caldera as it will complement both your Susvara and Elite very well!
 

OnlySoMany

1000+ Head-Fier
I have Susvara and Elite. Will the Caldera be different enough from these? I had a Utopia but the treble energy was too strong and I found them fatiguing after an hour.
Not trying to revive an old thread, but I would highly recommend the Caldera. I also own the Elite and Susvara, and the Caldera is a different sound. To me it sounds more "full" vs the other two. Elite is fast and exciting. Susvara accurate, precise and delicate, the Caldrea is full and robust without any bloom or boom. I found the suede pads more to my liking for most music, but for EDM the stock pads were a bit stronger for bass. One of my favorite headphones that I reach for the most now.
 

4givingGuy

New Head-Fier
Unsure if anyone follows this thread anymore, but I'm interested in best cable pairings for the Caldera (driven by a Chord Hugo TT2/MScaler).

Currently running with stock cable.
 

geoffalter11

Headphoneus Supremus
Unsure if anyone follows this thread anymore, but I'm interested in best cable pairings for the Caldera (driven by a Chord Hugo TT2/MScaler).

Currently running with stock cable.
stock cables are really good at ZMF. They have spent a lot of time ensuring that they provide you with a great cable offering. The OFC being the best of the two, but the regular braided is also a really well conceived and made cable.

I use pure Litz 3 copper for the Caldera Closed and a Forza Hybrid Noir for the VC and AO. However, I could easily use the stock cables and not feel like I was missing anything. I just happened to have the cables from other headphones and they are really good cables so I use them, but they aren't necessarily needed. You are talking about the last 1-3% of sound when it comes to the cables. I'd be more concerned with your source, chain and just enjoying the sound you are getting and don't spend tons of money on cables, personally. I don't think it is necessary, but certainly an option and if I was to get any ZMF cable it would be the 2K Copper which is my favorite. I also like the Paladium. I am not a huge fan of pure silver cabling in general, as I like the amount of current that copper lets through and my amps benefit from that as they are ridiculously powerful (too much so, I think) and so copper has a great affinity with planars and the ability to maximize the amount of current flowing through the cable. Silver is a different sound and will give you a tighter bass response at times and can open up the midband and treble for darker headphones. However, I look at more from a current point of view and ZMF's stock cables are as good as anything out there from a stock cable point of view.
 
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